Guardians ink Stephan to 4-year extension reportedly worth $10M
The Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed reliever Trevor Stephan to a four-year contract extension that includes two team options in 2027 and 2028, the team announced Thursday.
A Rule 5 diamond.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 30, 2023
We have signed RHP Trevor Stephan to a 4-year contract through the 2026 season with club options for 2027 and 2028.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/POBL6k3feW
The deal, which kicks in immediately, is worth $10 million, reports FanSided's Robert Murray. The options, if exercised, will pay Stephan $7.25 million in 2027 and $7.5 million in 2028; both figures can increase by $1 million through incentives.
CLE extensions breakdowns, per source:
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) March 30, 2023
Andrés Giménez
23: $1M + $4M bonus
24: $5M
25: $10M
26: $15M
27, 28, 29: $23M
30: $23-24M club option/$2.5M buyout
Trevor Stephan
23: $1.35M
24: $1.6M
25: $2.3M
26: $3.5M
27: $7.25-8.25M club option/$1.25M buyout
28: $7.5-8.5M club option
Stephan is coming off a breakout campaign, during which he authored a 2.69 ERA and 2.19 FIP over 63 2/3 innings, making 66 appearances and notching three saves.
The 27-year-old was slated to be arbitration-eligible next winter and wasn't able to hit free agency until after the 2026 season. Stephan's reported extension will cover at least one free-agent year and two if the team exercises both options.
This spring, Stephan allowed five runs on four hits and six walks while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings of work.
Cleveland also signed All-Star second baseman Andres Gimenez to a seven-year extension Thursday.